Former councillor demands apology over "war zone" comment

A former councillor has demanded an apology after a council officer described Tottenham as a “war zone”.

Current Labour councillors have also privately expressed dissatisfaction at the comment, which they say was made by a senior council officer during a presentation and bus tour of the borough for new councillors.

Alan Stanton, a Labour councillor for 16 years, took to Twitter and said: “I heard about disgusting war zone comment by senior officer. Tottenham residents need a public apology”, adding, “I want to understand how people hold such ignorant and destructive views and still believe they’re doing ‘regeneration’”.

Newly elected councillor Denise Marshall expressed her anger on Facebook, writing: “I have now left the meeting before things turned nasty and I had to get all vexated and rowdy”.

Martin Ball, a member of the Bruce Grove Stakeholder Regeneration Group (BGSR), demanded that the council clarified what had been said, and why.

He said: “It is important that the truth is known as gossip strikes at the constructive relationship established in the stakeholder group.”

To any victim of crime in this area - it is a war zone. And there are many victims of crime in Tottenham.

As usual, Labour believes if they ignore something it will go away! Crime has to be accepted and dealt with.

Making excuses, being P.C. avoiding the truth, will get us nowhere. Never has done never will.

To any victim of crime in this area - it is a war zone. And there are many victims of crime in Tottenham.
As usual, Labour believes if they ignore something it will go away! Crime has to be accepted and dealt with.
Making excuses, being P.C. avoiding the truth, will get us nowhere. Never has done never will.G_Whiz

To any victim of crime in this area - it is a war zone. And there are many victims of crime in Tottenham.

As usual, Labour believes if they ignore something it will go away! Crime has to be accepted and dealt with.

Making excuses, being P.C. avoiding the truth, will get us nowhere. Never has done never will.

Score: 0

ZenithB
2:28pm Thu 3 Jul 14

No wonder. When you deal with even a minor officer of the council through a councillor, you sometimes begin to wonder which one of the two you voted for.

No wonder. When you deal with even a minor officer of the council through a councillor, you sometimes begin to wonder which one of the two you voted for.ZenithB

No wonder. When you deal with even a minor officer of the council through a councillor, you sometimes begin to wonder which one of the two you voted for.

Score: 0

MartinBall
7:23pm Thu 3 Jul 14

For those interested in knowing more; then the regen tour happened on Saturday 21st June.

it would be sign of honesty by Haringey Council to say which senior regeneration officer made the 'war zone' comment. And, then she (or he) can tell us why they felt it was justified. I would also like to know if it is Tottenham in general looking like a 'war zone' or something in particular?

These officers go to Cannes to praise developers and bus it around Tottenham insulting the community. If they have a strong opinion then let them debate it honesty with local people.

For those interested in knowing more; then the regen tour happened on Saturday 21st June.
it would be sign of honesty by Haringey Council to say which senior regeneration officer made the 'war zone' comment. And, then she (or he) can tell us why they felt it was justified. I would also like to know if it is Tottenham in general looking like a 'war zone' or something in particular?
These officers go to Cannes to praise developers and bus it around Tottenham insulting the community. If they have a strong opinion then let them debate it honesty with local people.MartinBall

For those interested in knowing more; then the regen tour happened on Saturday 21st June.

it would be sign of honesty by Haringey Council to say which senior regeneration officer made the 'war zone' comment. And, then she (or he) can tell us why they felt it was justified. I would also like to know if it is Tottenham in general looking like a 'war zone' or something in particular?

These officers go to Cannes to praise developers and bus it around Tottenham insulting the community. If they have a strong opinion then let them debate it honesty with local people.

Score: 3

Tottenham Resident
8:04pm Thu 3 Jul 14

To be honest, it was a very foolish comment to make, very unprofessional.
As a Tottenham resident, I know Tottenham is anything but a war zone and many residents are very happy living here.
Perhaps they were referring to the riots but the riots only effected a small part of Tottenham and many involved with the riots came from outside of the area.
These comments only do a disservice to Tottenham residents and they do not represent the Tottenham I know. Tottenham, with all the regeneration taking place will become to a fantastic place to live.

To be honest, it was a very foolish comment to make, very unprofessional.
As a Tottenham resident, I know Tottenham is anything but a war zone and many residents are very happy living here.
Perhaps they were referring to the riots but the riots only effected a small part of Tottenham and many involved with the riots came from outside of the area.
These comments only do a disservice to Tottenham residents and they do not represent the Tottenham I know. Tottenham, with all the regeneration taking place will become to a fantastic place to live.Tottenham Resident

To be honest, it was a very foolish comment to make, very unprofessional.
As a Tottenham resident, I know Tottenham is anything but a war zone and many residents are very happy living here.
Perhaps they were referring to the riots but the riots only effected a small part of Tottenham and many involved with the riots came from outside of the area.
These comments only do a disservice to Tottenham residents and they do not represent the Tottenham I know. Tottenham, with all the regeneration taking place will become to a fantastic place to live.

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